Question

A culture for the flour beetle Tribolium confusom was started with 10 males and 10 females in a 20 milliliter flask. over a period of time, the beetle population increased to 940 insects, after which the number remained constant for several days, followed by an increase in the death rate.

Which of the following is reasonable hypothesis related to this experiment?

1. the population is controlled by density dependent factors
2. the population is controlled by density independent factors
3. the male beetles have a shorter life span than the female beetles
4. the female beetles have a shorter life span than the male beetles

Answer 1

The most reasonable hypothesis related to this experiment is that the population is controlled by density dependent factors.

Step-by-step explanation:

The most reasonable hypothesis related to this experiment is option 1: the population is controlled by density dependent factors. Density dependent factors are environmental factors that affect population growth and are influenced by the population size. In this case, the beetle population increased to 940 insects and then remained constant for several days before experiencing an increase in the death rate. This suggests that the population reached a carrying capacity in the flask, where limited resources and increased competition led to a decline in population growth and an increase in the death rate.